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Music Composition Commissions

As a composer, I have made a conscious commitment to become a part of the fabric of the community.  I have written music for all of southeastern Minnesota’s major performance ensembles and have been commissioned over thirty times for concerts, public celebrations, education activities, and regional arts events.

.Flying! from New Media Opera Tempus Fugit (2023) 8'40" (Act 1, Scene-1)

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.Full Electronic Orchestra and Synthesizers, Four Live Lead Actors and multiple digital projection actors.


Multimedia Projection controlled by Symphonic Vision Software with Unreal Engine generated projection sets and motion capture digital vocalists.

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.2 Premiered:  March 25, 2023.

.2 (All text by Kevin Dobbe)


.2 Color and Light (2013) 26’

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.2 Full Orchestra, SATB Choir, Harp, and Piano.

.2 Multimedia Projection controlled by Symphonic Vision Software

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.2 Commissioned by: Rochester Orchestra.  Rochester, MN

.2 Premiered:  March 16, 2013.

.2 (All text by Kevin Dobbe)


  I. 2-3-6-12

II. In the Spirit of Color

III. Sure On This Shining Night

IV.  Rhythmlume

                Performance of Color and Light; first movement: 2, 3, 6, 12 by the Rochester Ensemble of Dance.  March 25, 2023

Stay With Me a While (2018)

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Incidental music written for the premiere of Stay With Me a While" at the Rochester Civic Theatre: February 2-18, 2018.  Twenty-Four music selections written for Prelude, Postlude, and twenty-two scenes.  Solo piano.

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.2 Commissioned by: Rochester Civic Theatre.  Rochester, MN

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.2 February 2-18, 2018

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.2 Light and Shadow (2014) 6’

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.2 SATB Choir, Piano, Handbell Choir and Chromalume

.2 Multimedia Projection controlled by Symphonic Vision Software  with shadow projection and four dancers

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.2 Commissioned by: Choral Arts Ensemble.  Rochester, MN

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.2 Premiered: May 3 and 4, 2014


.2 Rhythm Count (2000) 4’

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.2 Jazz Electric Quartet Sax

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.2 Commissioned by: Saxophone Journal

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.2 Spiral of Life  (1997) 8’     

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.2 Full Orchestra, Chorus, Solo Soprano Sax and Computer/Synthesizers

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.2 Commissioned by: : Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble

.2     

.2 Premiered on April 20, 1997 as part of the “Youth in Arts Education” series, and was performed for over five thousand elementary students from SE Minnesota.  The performance was also repeated on April 24 as part of the SE MN Honors Choir concert and featured on the ensemble’s new CD collection.


Near The Snow, Near The Sun  (2003) 8’

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.2 SATB Choir (in three sections), Bass, Soprano, and Tenor Soloists, 6-Handbell Ringers, Assorted Handchimes

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.2 Commissioned by: Rochester Choral Arts Ensemble.  Rochester, MN

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.2 TEXT: I Think Continually- Stephen Spender

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.2 Premiered:  December 14, 15, 16, 2003.

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.2 Time ‘n Time Again  (2000) 4’

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.2 Alto Sax, Electronic Synthesis

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.2 Commissioned by: Saxophone Journal for the Aug/Sept 2000 Issue

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.2 Publshed July, 2000

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.2 That Was Then, This is Now  (1998) 11’

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.2 SATB Chorus, Recorded Chorus (CD Playback), Computer, various Synthesizers and Samplers, Recorded Sound Effects.

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.2 Commissioned by: : Minnetonka Choral Society.  Minnetonka, MN

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.2      I. Next Time ‘round, (Kevin Dobbe)

.2      II. That Was Then, This Is Now, (Kevin Dobbe)

.2      III. I am Not Gone, (Native American)

.2      IV. Since All Is Passing (Rainer Maria Rilke)

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.2 Premiered:  April 1999 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ensemble


I. Next Time ‘round, (Kevin Dobbe)

II. That Was Then, This Is Now, (Kevin Dobbe)

III. I am Not Gone, (Native American)

IV. Since All Is Passing (Rainer Maria Rilke)

.2 Orchestra Fanfare  (1994) 5’          

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.2 Full Symphonic Orchestra, Harp, and Piano

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.2 Commissioned by: Rochester Civic Music

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.2 Premiered in 1994, with subsequent performances in 1997, 2005, 2013, and 2019 as well as performances by the Minnesota Pops Orchestra on July 3rd and 4th 1998.  Performances by the Fox Valley Orchestra in May of 2003


.2 Dedication Fanfare (1989) 7' 30"

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.2 6 Horns, 5 Trumpets, 3 Trombones, Tuba, Percussion Antiphonal horn, Carillon.

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.2 Commissioned by: : Mayo Clinic Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota.

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.2 Premiered at the dedication ceremony of the Mayo Clinic's Harold W. Siebens Medical Education Building

.2 Interconnections (2005) 24’

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.2 Full Orchestra, SATB Choir, Harp, and Piano.

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.2 Commissioned by: Rochester Orchestra.  Rochester, MN

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.2      I. The Things We Do

.2      II. Six Degrees of Separation

.2      III. City of Care

.2      IV. We Are All Connected

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.2 Premiered:  February 5, 2005.

.2 (All text by Kevin Dobbe)


I. The Things We Do

II. Six Degrees of Separation

III. City of Care

IV. We Are All Connected

.2 Shakespeare In Love (1999) 11’

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.2 SATB Chorus, Percussion, and Handchimes

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.2 Commissioned by: : SE Minnesota Honors Choir, Rochester, MN

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.2      I. It Was A Lover and His Lass

.2      II. No Longer Mourn For Me

.2      III. What Is Love?

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.2 Premiered:  1999


I. It Was A Lover and His Lass

.0001 II. No Longer Mourn For Me

.2 Green Hieroglyphics (1995) 28’          

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.2 Full Symphonic Orchestra, Chorus, and Narrator

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.2 Commissioned by: : Rochester Civic Music

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.2      I. Viriditas, (Hildegard of Bingen)

.2      II.  Praise Be To Thee, (St. Francis of Assisi)

.2      III.  What is the Grass?   (Walt Whitman)

.2      IV.  Celebration! (Walt Whitman)

.2      V. Death, (Walt Whitman)

.2      VI.  If Thou Wil’t, Remember, (Christina Rossetti)

.2      VII.  Travel, (Walt Whitman)

.2      VIII. Viriditas, (Hildegard of Bingen)

.2      IX.  Praise Be To Thee, (St. Francis of Assisi)

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.2 Premiered on April 13, 1996

.0001 I. Viriditas, (Hildegard of Bingen)

.0001 II.  Praise Be To Thee, (St. Francis of Assisi)

III.  What is the Grass?   (Walt Whitman)        IV.  Celebration! (Walt Whitman)

V. Death, (Walt Whitman)

VI.  If Thou Wil’t, Remember, (Christina Rossetti)

VII.  Travel, (Walt Whitman)   VIII. Viriditas, (Hildegard of Bingen)

IX.  Praise Be To Thee, (St. Francis of Assisi)


Non-Recorded Commissions 

The Spring Mirroring the Moon  (1999) 6’


Full Band


Commissioned by: : Southeastern Minnesota Council for the Arts


Premiered:  1999




The Heart of the Flower (1999) 6’


Full Band


Commissioned by: : Southeastern Minnesota Council for the Arts


Premiered:  1999




INCIDENTAL MUSIC FOR WHO'S IN CHARGE?  (1990) 33’


Recorded Electronic Synthetic Media.


Commissioned by: : Minnesota Public Radio


The series was aired on MN Public Radio in September of 1990.




Chalice Anthem (1990) 3’


Two part Choir, Piano.


Commissioned by: :UUMN (Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network)


Premiered 1990




Cycles   (1990) 12'     


Full Concert Band, Synthesizer with sequenced material.


Commissioned by: : Rochester Mayo High School.  Rochester, MN.


Premiered 1990




Four Miniatures (1990) 4'     


Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Violin, Viola, Violoncello.


Commissioned by: : Rochester Civic Music, Rochester, MN.


Commissioned for the presentation to all the Rochester School System 4th Grade Classes for instrument selection demonstrations




Recycling Audio Logo  (1990)


Thirty-second Radio and Television commercials.


Recorded Electronic Synthetic Media.


Commissioned by: : Olmsted County Recycling Commission


Aired on regional TV ads for the 1990-91 years                    




Various Productions of Audio Logos for Image Builders Advertising Agency.  Studio productions included various acoustic and electronic media.




Incidental Music For  Ice Crystals (FILM) (1989) 8'45"


Piano, Synthesizer, Sampler, Sound effects, narrator.


Commissioned by: : Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, MA


The filmstrip is available as a rental





Psalms  (1988) 14'45"


Full Orchestra, S.A.T.B. Choir.


COMMISSIONED BY: Waupaca Community Orchestra and Chorus, Waupaca, Wisconsin.


Premiered 1988 in celebration of the organizations 25th anniversary                           




With A Little Help From My Friends,  A Beatles Medley (1987) 10'45"


Full Orchestra, Piano.


Commissioned by: : Fox Valley Council for the Arts.  Appleton, Wisconsin


Premiered 1987




Celebration (A Multimedia Theatre Work) (1987)  1 hr., 15'


Organ, Piano, Clarinet, Flute, S.A.T.B. Choir, Tenor Solo, Tape, and Percussion.


Commissioned by: : St. Bernard's Parish; Appleton, Wisconsin.


Premiered 1987.  The Multi-Media work was performed with Singer/Actors, Dancers,      Mime, Projected Images, and Lights at three performance nights



Watercourse (A Water Life-Cycle) (1987) 12'30"


Full Orchestra, Tape.


Commissioned by: : Southern Minnesota Youth Orchestra


Premiered 1987




Opal’s Song (1987) 4'30"


Piano for Four Hands, Clarinet, and Trumpet.


Commissioned by: : The Bourne Family for Opal Bourne




One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1986) 45’ Incidental Music:


Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion, Narration, Sound-Effects.


Commissioned by: : Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester, MN.


Premiered  in 1986 and used for the six week run of the production.  Heard in part on Minnesota Public Radio



The Gum-Tree Canoe (1983) 5'30"     


Boy Choir, String Ensemble, Harp, and Recorder.


Commissioned by: : Fox Valley Symphony and Appleton Boy Choir, Appleton WI


Premiered 1983




Non-Commissioned-Performed


Rhythm Count (2003) 4'30"

Soprano Saxophone, Wind Controller, Synthesizer, Electric Bass, Electronic Drums, Computer (controlling samples, and video projection via MIDI input pad), video projector

Written For: Circuits and Skins concert (12-15-03).  Rochester, MN     



Energy and Time (2003) 4'30"

Soprano Saxophone, Wind Controller, Synthesizer, Electric Bass, Electronic Drums, Computer Sequencer (controlling pre-recorded audio clips, video projection), animation creation via video projector, World-Drum Ensemble (24 members), tai chi-performer.

Written For: : Circuits and Skins concert (12-13-02). Rochester, MN



Affirmation (1993) 4'30"

Brass Quintet, Organ, Piano, and Two Percussion.

Written For:  Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN          


               

Toccata (1988) 5'30"

Organ.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN          



Over and Over (1988) 7'

Organ, Piano, and Voices.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



If Thou Wilt’s, Remember (1988) 6'45"

Piano, Clarinet, and High Voice.

Written For: Recital of local composers.  Rochester, MN



Children’s Benediction (1987) 3’          

Piano, Voice.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Bells (1987) 6'15"

Hand-chime Choir, Organ, Choir, and Tape.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Fanfare (1987) 5'30"     

Brass Quintet, Percussion, and Organ.

Originally orchestrated for horn quintet, percussion, organ, and performed in September of 1986. May of 1989 at the World Theatre in St. Paul, MN.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Berceuse (1986) 4'15"     

Piano.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Medita (1986) 5'30"

Synthesizer, Guitar.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Wintertime (1986) 4'

Piano, Synthesizer, and Voice.

Written For:  Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN     



Lauda (1985) 7'15"

Organ, Piano, Choir, and Percussion.

Written For: White Heron Choral Ensemble.  Appleton, WI

The Composition was awarded first place in the 1987 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Annual Composition Contest.



Two American Indian Sayings (1985) 5'30"     

Piano, Flute, Choir, Percussion, and Reader.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN

The work was heard on Minnesota Public Radio Station KLSE as a feature story in 1985.



ARRANGEMENT: Zion’s Wall (Aaron Copland) (1985) 4'15"

Choir, Piano.

Written For: Unitarian-Universalist Church service.  Rochester, MN



In The Beginning (1983) 6'30"

Tape Composition of many ethnic music instruments recorded at the Kent State University World Music Program.  The tape is performed with dance and Shakuhachi.

Written For: Recital at Kent State University.  Kent, Ohio



Feelings of Elsewhere (1983) 7'15"

Tape Composition as described above.

Written For: Recital at Kent State University.  Kent, Ohio



Incidental Music For Woyzeck  (Buckner)  (1981) 36'

Eight-track play-back system through eight speakers with recorded Piano, Synthesizer, String Quartet, Celeste, Harp, Alto Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Choir, Percussion, Sound Effects.

Written For: Eight Performances at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Oshkosh, WI

A Multi-Media Theatre Work for Actors, Dance, Slides, Film, Puppets, and Singer/Actors.



The Singer (CALVIN MILLER) (1980) 1 HR., 15'

String Quartet, Piano, Harp, Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo, Three Percussion, Sound Effects, Taped Instrumental, Readers.

Written For: Senior Recital at Wisconsin-Oshkosh.   Oshkosh, WI

A Readers Theatre Multi-Media Work with Projected Images.



The Life And Times Of Bob (1979) 12'

Piano, Percussion Ensemble (6), Clarinet, Tape.

Written For:  Junior Recital at Wisconsin-Oshkosh.  Oshkosh, WI

A Life Cycle for Mime and Music.










Kevin Dobbe

New Media Artist and Composer